From Our Farm
Ground Cherries
Ground cherries are small golden fruits enclosed in papery husks. When fully ripe, they taste sweet-tart and tropical, with flavors often compared to pineapple, tomato and vanilla.
How it compares to Cherry tomatoes and tomatillos
They are related to tomatoes and tomatillos and also grow inside a husk, but ripe ground cherries are much sweeter and fruitier. They can be eaten as fruit, cooked into jam or baked into desserts while still working well in salsa.
Storage & handling
- Use only fully ripe fruit that has turned golden yellow or orange and usually fallen from the plant.
- Do not eat green, unripe fruit or other parts of the plant.
- Remove the papery husk and wash the fruit before using.
- Discard fruit that is moldy, leaking or has an unpleasant fermented smell.
3 Ways to Cook Ground Cherries
Easy Ground Cherry JamA small-batch preserve that concentrates the fruit's pineapple-like sweetness.+
Ingredients
- 4 cups husked ripe ground cherries
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Remove all husks, rinse the fruit and discard any green or damaged berries.
- Combine the ground cherries, sugar, lemon juice and water in a heavy saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 25 to 35 minutes, stirring frequently and lightly crushing some fruit.
- Test the jam by placing a spoonful on a chilled plate; it should wrinkle slightly when pushed after cooling for a minute.
- Transfer the hot jam to clean jars and cool.
- Refrigerate and use as a refrigerator jam unless following a separately tested canning process.
Recipe adapted from New Entry Sustainable Farming Project at Tufts University
Ground Cherry SalsaA bright sweet-and-savory salsa for chips, tacos, grilled fish or chicken.+
Ingredients
- 2 cups husked ripe ground cherries, halved
- 1/3 cup finely diced red onion
- 1 small jalapeno, seeded and minced
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 small tomato, seeded and diced, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Remove the husks, rinse the ground cherries and cut each fruit in half.
- Place the fruit in a bowl with the onion, jalapeno, cilantro and optional tomato.
- Add the lime juice and salt.
- Stir gently and let the salsa rest for 15 minutes so the flavors combine.
- Taste and add more lime, salt or jalapeno if desired.
- Serve fresh with tortilla chips, tacos or grilled food.
Recipe adapted from Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
Ground Cherry PieA fruit pie that balances the berries' natural sweet-tart flavor with lemon and warm spice.+
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell
- 3 cups husked ripe ground cherries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Pastry for a top crust or crumb topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Remove the husks, rinse the fruit and discard any green berries.
- Whisk the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the ground cherries and lemon juice and toss gently until evenly coated.
- Pour the filling into the unbaked pie shell and dot the top with butter.
- Add the top crust or crumb topping and cut vents if using pastry.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until the filling bubbles and the crust is golden.
- Cool for at least 2 hours before slicing so the filling can set.
Recipe adapted from Les Petits Fruits de Pres-d'en-haut
Want Ground Cherries in your box?
Every Belle Nature CSA box is grown in Farmington, MN, harvested within 24 hours of delivery, and comes with recipes like these. Reserve your 12-week farm share for the Twin Cities.